Power plant for motor vehicles



Dec. 6, 1949 D. COLLINS ET AL.

yPOWER PLANT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 2 Stiens-sheet 1 Filed April l, 1946 D. COLL N5 Dec. 6, E949 D. COLLINS ETAL POWER PLANT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l, 1946 Q mw mi E m s NC vl- -I -|,|||||1|| W N M /J. om L Il Q we L Y. IC C O o w o o o S, C o o o o Om C DL w11. o O n o o j N u Q /m o D HI OO OO, G Q 5:; WWI.. L f r M f u f 2 M Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED OFFICEl 2,490,418 y. POWER PLANT FORMOTR VEHICLES Douglas Collins,

Salisbury, N. c., and Gave s;

Boylan, Ridgway, Pa. y Application April 1, 194s, serial No. '658,730

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle motors particularly designed for the economical and efficient operation of land vehicles, boats and other conveyances driven at widely different speeds but r-equiring a uniformly high driv- -ing torque at starting as well as throughout the entire range of operating speed.

According to the invention a Diesel or other type of internal combustion engine operating only at its most eilicient characteristic speed is utilized to drive a compressor delivering compressed air to a plurality of air receivers from which the compressed air is conducted under control of a throttle valve to an air motor providing the power required for the operation of the vehicle or other device at flexibly variable speed.

An object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus utilizing the hot exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine to heat the compressed air delivered to the air receiver whereby the resulting expansion of the air increases the pressure thereof and the heat exchange between the air under pressure and the exhaust gases increases the thermal efficiency of the apparatus by converting waste heat of the exhaust gas into a useful purpose.

A further object of the invention is the provision of at least two air receivers and a pressure operated control device by which a connection between one receiver and the air motor is established simultaneously with the connection of the other receiver-to the compressor, such condition being maintained until the pressure in the latter receiver attains a predetermined value Whereupon the connections are so changed that the rst mentioned receiver is connected with the compressor and the :second mentioned receiver is connected to supply air for the continued operation of the air motor.

A still further object is the provision of means actuated by the control device by which the direction of flow of the exhaust gas from the combustion engine is caused to periodically change in dependence upon the above mentioned changes in the connections of the receivers so that the heating effect is applied only to the receiver operatively connected with the air motor.

In the accompanying drawings wherein an approved embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 -is a side elevation of the improved apparatus, essential parts of a motor vehicle being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a topV plan view of the apparatus claims. (ci. sol- 14) of the combustion engine and air compressor removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are views showing the air control valve inV different positions.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the adjustable member for deiiecti'ng the exhaust gases from the engine to one or the other of the two air receivers.

Figure '7 is a vertical section on the line 'I--1 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of air receiver.

Referring to the drawings in detail the numeral I0 indicates a prime mover in the form of a Diesel or any other preferred type of internal combustion engine which, in accordance with the invention is operated only at the critical speed developing the highest possible eciency. The crank shaft of the engine Illris coupled directly with the drive'shaft of an air compressor II for driving the latter and in the arrangement illustrated a Water cooling system I2 common to both the engine and compressor is provided although an air cooling system may be used if preferred.

The compressor II is utilized to compress the air which is to be utilized as the motive fluid for the operation of the air motor to be hereinafter described in greater detail and which latter is the source of power to be used in the operation of the vehicle or other device to which the invention is applied. The air delivery pipe I3 connected with the outlet of the compressor II communicates with the inlet port I4 in the lower portion of thecasing'of a control valve I5. The opposite sides of the valve casing'l are provided with ports 16a and IGb communicating with branch pipes Ila and IIb which lead into the two air receivers A and B. The upper portion of the valve casing I5 is provided with'a port I8 connected with' the' pipe I9 supplying air to the air motorv 20. 'Also in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the power plant is shown applied to a conventional form of motor vehicle and in this case the air motor 20 is preferably coupled directly to the differential ring gear and is geared one to one therewith.

A throttle valve 2| `is connected at a convenient point in the length ofthe air supply pipe I9 and the operation thereof is controlled by an actuating mechanism consisting, for instance, of a throttle arm 22 and linkage 23 connected with a control member 2liv conveniently accessible by the partly in section and showing the upper portions operator of the vehicle.

The control valve l5 is operable to alternately connect the receivers A and B with the air motor through the branch pipes I'Ia and IIb respectively and, in the interval, while one receiver is connected with the air motor for supplying the motive uid therefor, the other receiver is connected with the compressor I I for receiving therein a supply of air at a predetermined pressure. For this purpose the rotatable plug 26 of the valve is providediwith :channels 21a" an'dfZTbieXtending respectivelythroughoutta portion ofthe circumference of the plug.

When the valve is in the position shown in Figure 4 the channel 21a establishesjcommunication between the air delivery pipe I3 and the branch pipe I'Ia. so that the motive-uidfrom the compressor is led into the receiver A. 'In the same position of the valve, the. channel1.21b,col1- nects the branch pipe I'Ib with the air supply pipe I9 and thus air from the tank B isis'upp'lied to the air motor 20 under the manual control of the throttle valve- 2;I. Y

The control valve I 5 is shifted alternately-from one position-to, thee-other.- :by: vthe; pressure controlled actuating device C illustratedinfdetail in:

Figure `3` and consisting-offa pair. of opposed; cylinders 28a and 28h- ;respectively' connected by pipes 29a andZb withftheain receivers AandfB. rllheV connecting; rodi 30 is` secured to'pistons 3 Ia and 3 Ib sliding in :the: cylindersf-28a. and: 28h and the piston assembly thus constitutedfisv shifted' innnedirection or the -otherin dependence upon the pressure existing in the receiversfAr and'B. 'Ilot aidin determining .the pressure l at which" the piston assembly is shifted; thee pistons .ala and 3:Ib are respectively provided withfspringsz 32a and` 32h the tension of -whichfmaybe--varied'by the adjusting members'arandb; rPhe piston rodBQ-isprovidedwit'h: spaced abutments 34 alternately engageablewith anfarm 35-onthefstem 36 of the valveplug 26 so that theflatter is shifted between the two positions? shown in Figures 4 and 5v asthe pistony assemblyI is; moved in response to -relative changesr -inflthepressure in the receivers A anda B. The operation ofV the valve plug is accelerated bya spring- 3-.'!-.connectedf between one end of.- theearm 35 and,v the stationary point 38 so disposed that=as= the -point of connection betweenthe spring andftherarnL- passes dead centerv between. the valve/stem 36,; and the point 38, the-valveV-.arm'l and plug; are rapidly swung to the limit ofthe initiated movement.

Each of the receivers A and Bisfprovided terminally with partitions forming end chambers 40. connected by tubes 4I. one end of the receivers are cemented with the branches L32l communicating with theexhaust pipe 43 receivingthe exhaust gases-resultingyfrom the normal operationL oftheeng-ine Ii Atl the junc-A ture of the branches 42o-withl the exhaust pipe 43 a deeetor Mis-supported fon'swingingmovement on a shaft 45; The -deflecton is movable between two limitswhereby thepassage of the heated exhaust gases tozone ornthe. other branch may be controlled. I

The shaft 45 is extended rearwardly and connected with the :valve vplug 126,! and isdisposed: in such angular relation thereto that: as the. plug is moved into .therposition shown in Figure 4 Yin which the receiverfB` is.h connectedfto supply 4air to the motor. 2U, the d'eectorf 44- is adjusted to deflect the heated exhaust gases finto--l the branch 42` communicating with-*thec -receiveriB During thesame period' `air from the compres-A sor II is delivered to the receiver: A through the The'.A chambers, 40 l at channel 21a and branch pipe I1a but the deector 44 prevents the passage of the heated exhaust gas into the receiver A. After passing through the series of tubes 4I in each receiver the exhaust gases are discharged through an outlet pipe 46 which as shown in Figure 1 is arranged to partially enclose the air discharge pipe 41 through which the air leaving the air motor 20 is led.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Fgur'ef, thegxair receivers A";and 'B' are in theform'ofhollow tankstcommunicating at one end with the branches 42 of the engine exhaust '-pipe and connected at the opposite end with the .f outlet pipe 462 Within each of the receiver tanks is arranged a coil composed of connected wind- .ingslf48iiandblllroffdifferent diameters and arranged-one within the other.

Theabranchepipes I'Ia and IIb leading to the A"valve 'l5 are connected with the coils fsa-49 at Vonefend-of the receivers A and B. The pipes 29a and 29h conducting the compressed air to thescylindersfZa'andf 28h fare; alsoiconnectediwith thef'coils:` 48`49 :at suitablee points.

Ingoperaton thefcombustion engine L0, is yoper,-4 ated only, at' the critical characteristic; speedzde veloping the maximum efficiency: and the-.opera-` tion andf controlthereofrmayhbegby: means of governor, pressure-=responsivm control' orY other preferable fdevice. 'Illia-ain compressed` ,by the compressorlII. is conducted; by :theidelivery- :pipe I3fltojtheiport I4 iin; thefvalve `Ift'and assuming the lai'lter'iis-in the; position ishown in Figure 4', thefmotiyeiiuidr is: conducted; by 4the' channel- 21a through the-pipe1IfIc to:=,the='receiver A. and the pressure ofzair buildsxupfin.- this'receiver during thercontinued' operationl-ofthecompressor. Also in this position ofithe valve* I5 the channel'21b connectsrthe receiverwBuwith the .air motor 2D through: the branch; pipea "I 'Iby andi the air supply pipe'A '19,. the. operation of' the airA motorbeing controlled .by adjustment of thethrottle valve 2|.: Under-this fc'ondition the `deflector4 Mis ad'- justedby theshaft #Stand valve plug 'Mito` thev positionl `in which: the heated exhaust gas from the-combustion engine isn'conductedf to thereceiver Birso'that-ithe-air infthat' receiver isf subiected to the heating effect of the'exhaust' gas andthe 4air pressureis laccordingly increased. Thefexhaust gases l'transversing the' receiver B aredischarfged 'throughuthei outlet pipe 46 and in-flowing overfthefairoutlet 41 of the motor- 20, thelitend'enc'yf toLaccumulate condensation frost isfoiset. When the pressurev inthe receiver A reaches a predetermined value with relation to the-decreasing pressureirr the receiver B, the piston assemblyV :s'IlL-StIa--3Ibis shifted and by cooperation ofi one/of" thefabutments 34' with the arm=35, thevalve vplug-2 is shifted, from the positiony showni'n Figure v4" to4 that shown in Figure 5. Consequently, the channel 2 1b, connects'the air- Ideliveryvfpipe I3-with the, branch pipey If'lb and the compressed airyfrom. the compressor II" is conducted to the receiver iB, the deflectorv 44 being4 simultaneously turned bythe shaft 45 'todeiiect the hotexhaust gases into the receiver A. In this manner 'the `receiver A is connected to supply compressed air for the operation of the motor 2D while the receiver B is connected to receive compressed airfrom the compressor.

What we claim is:

1. In a power plant, an internal combustion engine'having an outlet for exhaust gas, an .air compressor driven by said engine, a pair of hollow bodies forming air receiversrfor alternate connection with the compressor, a rst valve means for alternately connecting said receivers and said compressor, means for conducting hot exhaust gas from the engine outlet to said receivers for facilitating transfer of heat from the exhaust gas to the receiver air through the material of the bodies, and a second valve means for controlling said conducting means, said rst and second valve means being so interconnected that the gas is conducted to each receiver when air from the compressor is being conducted to the other receiver.

2. In a power plant, an internal combustion engine, an air compressor driven by said engine, two air receivers, an air motor, connections between the receivers and the compressor and between the receivers and the air motor, and control means periodically changing said connections in response to predetermined variations of the pressure diierential between said receivers L whereby during one period the compressor is connected with one of said receivers while the other receiver is connected with the air motor and during the succeeding period the iirst mentioned receiver is connected with the air motor and the second mentioned receiver is connected with the compressor.

3. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with means for facilitating transfer of heat from the hot exhaust gas from the combustion engine to the air in said receivers.

e. A power plant as claimed in claim l provided with an air motor connected with said receivers, and means to connect each of said receivers with said air motor when the other receiver is connected with said compressor.

5. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with means for facilitating transfer of heat from the hot exhaust gas from the combustion engine to the air in said receivers, and means actuated by said control means to render said transfer means ineffective with respect to the receiver connected with said compressor.

6. A power plant as claimed in claim 1 provided with an air motor connected with said receiver and having an air discharge pipe, and a discharge pipe for the conducting means for the engine exhaust gas surrounding the outer end of said air discharge pipe.

7. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with a throttle valve in the connection between the receivers and the air motor.

8. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with a pipe connected with the engine exhaust and having branches respectively arranged in heat exchange relation to said receivers, pivotally mounted delecting means to deflect the exhaust gas into the branch having heat exchange relation with the receiver connected with the air motor,

and mea-ns operable by said control means for pivoting said deliecting means.

9. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with means for conducting hot exhaust gas from the combustion engine alternately to the receivers, and means, controlled by the pressure of air in the receivers, for controlling said conducting means.

10. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a two-way valve alternately communicating with the two receivers.

11. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a valve controlling communication through said connections and pressure operated devices connected with said receivers for actuating said valve.

12. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a valve controlling communication through said connections and pressure operated devices connected with said receivers for actuating said valve, and spring biasing means operative to retain said valve in the adjusted position.

13. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 provided with a pipe connected with the engine exhaust and having branches respectively arranged in heat exchange relation to said receivers, deflecting means arranged in said pipe, said control means including a valve, and a connection between said valve and said delecting means.

1li. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 where* in said control means includes a valve, an actuating arm on said valve, opposed cylinders connected with said receivers, coupled pistons mounted in said cylinders, and spaced abutments on the coupled pistons alternately engageable with the arm ior moving the valve in opposite directions.

15. A power plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a valve, an actuating arm on said valve, opposed cylinders connected with said receivers, coupled pistons mounted in said cylinders, spaced abutments on the coupled pistons alternately engageable with the arm for moving the valve in opposite directions, and means operative to accelerate the movement of the valve initiated by said coupled pistons.

DOUGLAS COLLINS. GOVE S. BOYLAN.

REFERENCES CITED Ilhe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 878,953 Hess Feb. 1l, 1908 1,916,242 Williams July 4, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 22,947 Great Britain Nov. 8, 1905 

